By the Staff of Frederick County Public Libraries Children’s Services
Cultivate an attitude of generosity and service in your children with the following books.
Board/Toddlers
‘Kindness Makes Us Strong’
by Sophie Beer
This board book encourages the celebration of kindness within your community. Each page defines kindness in a different way with bold and inclusive images that your little one will love.
‘I Need a Hug’
by Aaron Blabey
The main character in this book is a cute, prickly porcupine. Follow him on his journey to find someone who will cuddle with him. A sweet ending to this story will warm your heart.
Picture Books
‘Sam and the Lucky Money’
by Karen Chinn, illustrated by
Cornelius Van Wright & Ying-Hwa Hu
Sam is excited to spend the lucky money his grandparents gave him for Chinese New Year. He becomes disappointed when the money is not enough to buy the things he wants. An encounter with a homeless stranger makes Sam realize that the best gifts come from the heart.
‘What Is Given from the Heart’
by Patricia C. McKissack,
illustrated by April Harrison
James Otis and his mama may be poor, but mama asks him to find a way to help a young girl whose family lost everything in a fire. James thinks hard about what he has worth giving in this touching story about compassion.
‘The Thank You Letter’
by Jane Cabrera
Grace is inspired to write thank-you letters to her friends and family after her birthday. She realizes there is so much to be grateful for and continues to share her thanks with her community. Grace’s kindness is also returned to her in a beautiful way.
Young Readers
‘Under the Lemon Moon’
by Edith Hope Fine
One night, young Rosalinda is awakened only to find a man taking all the lemons off of her beloved lemon tree. As she struggles to get over her anger at this man and heal her broken tree, Rosalinda learns what it means to be truly generous and forgive. Beautifully illustrated with bright watercolors, this book also teaches some Spanish vocabulary.
‘An Orange for Frankie’
by Patricia Polacco
Set during the Great Depression, this moving story details how the joy of giving can be contagious. Frankie, the youngest in the Stowell family, sees a poor homeless man passing through town and gives him his favorite sweater to help the man stay warm.
Middle Readers
‘Stay’
by Bobbie Pyron
Piper’s life is turned upside down when her family members lose their home and have to move into a family shelter in a new city. She misses what she had before and hates being labeled “homeless” at her new school. Baby lives in a park with his person, Jewel. Baby loves his life on the streets with Jewel because they are never apart—that is, until Jewel gets sick. Told from alternating points of view, “Stay” explores the meaning of home and celebrates the power of friendship and hope.
‘Wishtree’
by Katherine Applegate
Red is a red oak that is “216 rings old” and the neighborhood “wishtree.” Each year, people write their wishes on pieces of cloth and tie them to Red’s branches. Along with her crow friend, Bongo, and other animals who seek refuge in Red’s hollows, this “wishtree” watches over the neighborhood. The humans at the novel’s center include Samar, a recent Muslim refugee who is lonely and in need of a friend, and a nameless boy who uses the tree to convey hateful messages to Samar and her family. The owner of the tree is tired of roots in the plumbing and hopes all the nastiness will disappear if the tree is cut down, forgetting the story of her ancestors and the beginning of all the wishes. Red decides to intervene and ask for help from the animals and birds to help Samar and save the “wishtree.”
Teens
‘Lumberjanes Vol. 1:
Beware the Kitten Holy’
by Shannon Watters, Grace Ellis
and Noelle Stevenson;
illustrated by Brooke A. Allen
Five hard-core best friends are determined to enjoy their time at summer camp, despite magical quests and the paranormal. Full of adventure, representation and humor, “Lumberjanes” is a great graphic novel series for YA and middle-grade readers. “Vol. 1: Beware the Kitten Holy” contains issues 1-4.
‘Winterwood’
by Shea Ernshaw
What lies within the deep, dark woods? Full of magic, mystery, secrets and romance, this fairy tale-inspired story follows a young witch determined to uncover the truth about a mysterious boy. This atmospheric read is perfect to curl up with on a chilly winter’s night.
These titles have been thoughtfully selected by Frederick County Public Libraries. You can find these books and more by visiting fcpl.org.
